ElectriQ E38 washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What E38 actually means

The machine isn't getting a sensible temperature reading from the sensor at the exhaust port, so it stops rather than carry on blind.

On these ElectriQ washer dryers there's a temperature sensor at the exhaust port that the control board watches during drying. If that sensor's reading doesn't change as expected, or the circuit reads as short or broken, the board flags E38 and halts the cycle. It's an electrical fault report, not something you've done wrong with the load.

What E38 looks like on a ElectriQ washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a ElectriQ washing machine, E38 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Not heating the water
Washing coming out cold
Cycle takes far longer than it should
No function at all
Dead — nothing lights up
Lights flashing and nothing happening
Programme won't start
Machine tripping the electrics

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

A loose or disconnected plug on the temperature sensor
Damaged or chafed wiring between the sensor and the control board
The temperature sensor itself has failed
A fault on the main control board (least common, and only after the sensor and wiring check out)

What you can safely check yourself

Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up — occasionally the code clears if it was a one-off glitch
Note whether the fault appears at the start of drying or partway through, and tell whoever attends; it helps narrow it down

Common questions about ElectriQ E38

What does E38 mean on a ElectriQ washing machine?

The machine isn't getting a sensible temperature reading from the sensor at the exhaust port, so it stops rather than carry on blind. On these ElectriQ washer dryers there's a temperature sensor at the exhaust port that the control board watches during drying. If that sensor's reading doesn't change as expected, or the circuit reads as short or broken, the board flags E38 and halts the cycle. It's an electrical fault report, not something you've done wrong with the load.

Can I fix ElectriQ E38 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up — occasionally the code clears if it was a one-off glitch.
Note whether the fault appears at the start of drying or partway through, and tell whoever attends; it helps narrow it down.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair ElectriQ E38?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing E38?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most washing machine faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.

Other ElectriQ washing machine codes

All ElectriQ fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

ElectriQ E38 error — washing machine